Visitors at Knott’s Berry Farm ride the new HangTime rollercoaster during it’s first day of public operation in Buena Park on Friday, May 11, 2018. The new coaster brings riders up 150 feet, holds them for several seconds, then drops them almost straight down. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

HangTime, Knott’s Berry Farm’s new roller coaster, is open to Knott’s passholders until 8 p.m. tonight, May 11, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, May 12, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, May 13. You must display your current season pass to enter the queue. Hours of operation are subject to change.

HangTime will open to all Knott’s guests May 18.

Visitors at Knott’s Berry Farm ride the new HangTime rollercoaster during it’s first day of public operation in Buena Park on Friday, May 11, 2018. The new coaster brings riders up 150 feet, holds them for several seconds, then drops them almost straight down. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Visitors at Knott’s Berry Farm ride the new HangTime rollercoaster during it’s first day of public operation in Buena Park on Friday, May 11, 2018. The new coaster brings riders up 150 feet, holds them for several seconds, then drops them almost straight down. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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Visitors at Knott’s Berry Farm ride the new HangTime rollercoaster during it’s first day of public operation in Buena Park on Friday, May 11, 2018. The new coaster brings riders up 150 feet, holds them for several seconds, then drops them almost straight down. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Angie Taylor checks out surfboards made by Rocky McKinnon, of Huntington Beach, at Knott’s Berry Farm’s new HangTime rollercoaster during it’s first day of public operation in Buena Park on Friday, May 11, 2018. The new coaster brings riders up 150 feet, holds them for several seconds, then drops them almost straight down. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Surfboards made by Rocky McKinnon, of Huntington Beach, are part of the decorations at Knott’s Berry Farm’s new HangTime rollercoaster during it’s first day of public operation in Buena Park on Friday, May 11, 2018. The new coaster brings riders up 150 feet, holds them for several seconds, then drops them almost straight down. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Surfboards made by Rocky McKinnon, of Huntington Beach, are part of the decorations at Knott’s Berry Farm’s new HangTime rollercoaster during it’s first day of public operation in Buena Park on Friday, May 11, 2018. The new coaster brings riders up 150 feet, holds them for several seconds, then drops them almost straight down. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Visitors at Knott’s Berry Farm ride the new HangTime rollercoaster during it’s first day of public operation in Buena Park on Friday, May 11, 2018. The new coaster brings riders up 150 feet, holds them for several seconds, then drops them almost straight down. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Visitors at Knott’s Berry Farm ride the new HangTime rollercoaster during it’s first day of public operation in Buena Park on Friday, May 11, 2018. The new coaster brings riders up 150 feet, holds them for several seconds, then drops them almost straight down. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Surfboard designer Rocky McKinnon, of Huntington Beach, designed the shelving at a new shop connected to Knott’s Berry Farm’s new HangTime rollercoaster in Buena Park on Friday, May 11, 2018. The new coaster brings riders up 150 feet, holds them for several seconds, then drops them almost straight down. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Surfboards made by Rocky McKinnon, of Huntington Beach, are part of the decorations at Knott’s Berry Farm’s new HangTime rollercoaster during it’s first day of public operation in Buena Park on Friday, May 11, 2018. The new coaster brings riders up 150 feet, holds them for several seconds, then drops them almost straight down. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Visitors at Knott’s Berry Farm ride the new HangTime rollercoaster during it’s first day of public operation in Buena Park on Friday, May 11, 2018. The new coaster brings riders up 150 feet, holds them for several seconds, then drops them almost straight down. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

New HangTime merchandise is available at Knott’s Berry Farm’s for their new rollercoaster during it’s first day of public operation in Buena Park on Friday, May 11, 2018. The new coaster brings riders up 150 feet, holds them for several seconds, then drops them almost straight down. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Visitors at Knott’s Berry Farm ride the new HangTime rollercoaster during it’s first day of public operation in Buena Park on Friday, May 11, 2018. The new coaster brings riders up 150 feet, holds them for several seconds, then drops them almost straight down. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Season Pass holders were treated to a sneak peak of Knott’s Berry Farm’s new HangTime rollercoaster during it’s first day of public operation in Buena Park on Friday, May 11, 2018. The new coaster brings riders up 150 feet, holds them for several seconds, then drops them almost straight down. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Visitors at Knott’s Berry Farm ride the new HangTime rollercoaster during it’s first day of public operation in Buena Park on Friday, May 11, 2018. The new coaster brings riders up 150 feet, holds them for several seconds, then drops them almost straight down. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Visitors at Knott’s Berry Farm ride the new HangTime rollercoaster during it’s first day of public operation in Buena Park on Friday, May 11, 2018. The new coaster brings riders up 150 feet, holds them for several seconds, then drops them almost straight down. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Visitors at Knott’s Berry Farm ride the new HangTime rollercoaster during it’s first day of public operation in Buena Park on Friday, May 11, 2018. The new coaster brings riders up 150 feet, holds them for several seconds, then drops them almost straight down. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The roller coaster fits right into the park’s Boardwalk theme area with an array of surfboards at its entrance and different types of beach fencing.

There are more beautiful boards throughout the grounds, all created by Huntington Beach surfboard designer Rocky McKinnon. There is also a small building on the site dubbed McKinnon’s surf shop paying homage to him.

Inside, the rider queue is covered by a series of large canvas shades. There is sand, clusters of rocks and small palm trees and other beach-type plantings. At one end there is an overturned boat, as if it was washed up by a storm, and some scattered lobster traps.

After riders exit HangTime, they have to option to return directly to the park or go through the store. The shop not only sells ride photos, but also a nice assortment of surf-style clothing and accessories, as well as souvenirs bearing the roller coaster’s image.

Michelle Mills has been an entertainment and features reporter for the Southern California News Group since 1999. She has interviewed such notables as Weird Al Yankovic, Glen Campbell, Alice Cooper, Debbie Allen, Ernest Borgnine (during an earthquake) and Adam Young (Owl City). She was the 31st Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade Queen reigning 2007-2009. She is a professional belly dancer (swordwork is her specialty) and also studies Polynesian and Tahitian dance.